He
listened to the warm reply of Captain Wharton with a supercilious smile,
and then inquired,--
"You would not have us retire, sir, before these boasted horsemen,
without doing something that may deprive them of part of the glory which
you appear to think they have gained!"
"I would have you advised, Colonel Wellmere, of the danger you are about
to encounter."
"Danger is but an unseemly word for a soldier," continued the British
commander with a sneer.
"And one as little dreaded by the 60th, as any corps who wear the royal
livery," cried Henry Wharton, fiercely. "Give but the word to charge,
and let our actions speak."
"Now again I know my young friend," cried Wellmere, soothingly; "but if
you have anything to say before we fight, that can in any manner help us
in our attack, we'll listen. You know the force of the rebels; are there
more of them in ambush?"
"Yes," replied the youth, chafing still under the other's sneers, "in
the skirt of this wood on our right are a small party of foot; their
horse are all before you."
"Where they will not continue long," cried Wellmere, turning to the few
officers around him. "Gentlemen, we will cross the stream in column, and
deploy on the plain beyond, or else we shall not be able to entice these
valiant Yankees within the reach of our muskets.
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